Webinar on 'Dynamics of Online Education' : Report
Date : 27th - 28th May 2020 , Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh

To address the problem of accessibility of education during Covid-19 pandemic, almost all the educational institutions ranging from school to university has adopted virtual teaching-learning mode. However, despite all methodical endeavours made by educational institutions to fulfil the commitment of the government of India to make quality education accessible and inclusive at all stages of education several regional, socio-cultural and many other problems are making it difficult for educational institutions to carry on with adopted online teaching-learning mode.

Therefore, to discuss how far we are ready to for online learning, a two day national webinar on “Dynamics of Online Education: A Dialogue on Policy and Practice” is being organised from 27th- 28th May 2020 by the Department of Education, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh – 79112, Arunachal Pradesh started today with an aim to have dialogue on virtual teaching-learning in the light of diverse socio-cultural, psychological, technological and regional context of India and explore its significance both in present and post Covid -19 situations.

In the inaugural program Prof. H.K Senapati, Director, NCERT, New Delhi, as Chief Guest listed the Govt. of India’ initiative in the field of Online education right from e-PG Pathshala to SWYAM courses with specific contribution of NCERT. He interacted with the participants and concluded that online education is a make shift arrangement and after lock down is over we have to return back to normal education, however it can continue as Blended mode of teaching-learning.

Speaking on the occasion Prof. Saket Kushwaha, Honourable Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University highlighted the initiatives of RGU in realizing the aims of online education, and attempts made by RGU for the same. For happy living during this pandemic and even otherwise after this in normal days also, he gave the mantra in terms of our responsibilities towards 08 people in our lives.

02 our parents, 02 our in-laws, 02 our friends and 02 people from our community who are socially & economically backward. He also gave a word for enhancing the infrastructural facilities for online teaching-learning in RGU.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. David Pertin, Joint Registrar (Academics & Conference) spoke about the universities administrative readiness for organizing such webinars, and informed the audience that a total of 1,151 applications were received from across the country and disciplines, and out of that only 300 were sorted out on the basis of the responses of the applicants on 04 questions related to online education asked for registration.

In the first technical session Prof. Khagendra Kumar, from Faculty of Education, Patna University talked about various issues of accessibility and accountability of the system in terms of digital education and the risks and dangers involved therein.

In the second session Prof. Anita Rampal, Ex-professor, Central Institute of Education (CIE), University of Delhi, who had also been on the board of National Curriculuem Framework (NCF)-2005, the back bone of our today’s school education talked on Education and Digital justice and stressed that, through online education we are contributing to divide in the society between the technology have’s and have not’s. Only few people can benefit of it, however weaker sections of our society will just suffer for none of their faults.

Prof. Madhu Kushwaha, from Univ of Maryland, USA talked on the Social correlates of online education and future of ‘Brick and mortar Universities’ and discussed educational inequalities prevalent in the Indian society which impedes the education.

Prof. Senthilnatah from Bhartidasan Univ, Trichi, Tamil Nadu, talked about the change of pedagogy in the 21st century and elaborated how 3 Apples have changed the world. 1st one that Adam took, 2nd one which Newton had experienced and 3rd one the Apple platform, which changed the computing experience of the world. He heighted the gap between the teachers; who are digital immigrants, and the learners of this era, who are digital natives and invited new dialogue and discussion, in order to mitigate this gap.

Dr. Joram Begi, State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) of Aruncahal Pradesh talked on ‘Readiness of the system for online teaching-learning in the NE and in Arunachal Pradesh’ and discussed the Govt of Arunachal initiatives for online education and shared his experience of being Director, Higher and Technical Education in the past that, how 03 colleges: IGI, Tezu, DNGC, Itanagar and JNC, Pasighat had been under taken for high speed internet connectivity during his tenure.

He discussed the grass root problems which teachers, parents and learners face daily for access to online education ranging from electricity to connectivity. He visualized that Arunachal Pradesh is also working in line with Govt of India initiates for online education. He urged RGU and especially the Dept of Education to start such online programmes for teachers of the state to increase their digital literacy.

In the 6th session Prof. Gautam Gawali, Director, Amity Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Amity University, Mumbai talked on the most ignored issue of emotional and hands-on-activities (psychomotor) disconnect being experienced in this online education era. He highlighted how students are getting deprived in term of all round development; the basic aim of education.

Information can be shared through online teaching and be received by the learners, but social intelligence can’t be learnt through this way. He further elaborated that in this country where culturally we respect teachers more than even God and parents, this physical disconnect between teachers and the learners will affect education which is essential for holistic development of all.

A psychologist by profession, he shared his worries that before this lockdown the cases of gadget addiction was on rise among children, now due to this online education their condition may get increased as they are being facilitated to glue to the gadgets for learning.

Valedictory session was witnessed by Prof. Tomo Riba, Registrar, who on the occasion spoke about the need of online education at this juncture and listed the intimates of RGU in this regard. Prof. A Mitra, Pro Vice-chancellor, RGU encouraged the participants effort to attend 02 days full day webinar and stressed the importance of 20% credit to SWAYAM courses for university and college students.

Ms. Niharika Rai, Secretary, Education, Govt. Of Arunachal, Chief Guest of the program talked on the initiatives of the govt for online education in terms of provisions through SWAYAM TV channel for the school children. She also informed that in 19 colleges online education is progressing well, however initially there were few hiccups too.

To motivate the educational practiseners and learning community of the state including students and parents, she marked “we shouldn’t wait for disasters like Covid for online education to bosom”. She highlighted the Govts initiatives of tie-up with the All India Radio to give opportunity to learners to record their folk- tale and folk-lores.

The 02 day webinar was conducted under the leadership and guidance of
Prof. Kesang Degi, Head, Dept. of Education and
Prof. Rachob Taba, Dean, Faculty of Education,
by 05 Assistant Professors of the Dept of Education;
Dr. Sumin Prakash, Dr. Vivek Singh, Mr. Sushant Nayak, Dr. Anga Padu, and Dr. Anamika Yadav..

The programme ensured elaborate question- answers (dialogue) and raised further dialogues on the issues discussed in each session and ended with reflections from the participants and thanking.